Mangalore: Varsity Authorities Transfer Controversial Lecturer Umeshchandra
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
Mangalore, Jan 29: The conflict between the students of the Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) department of Mangalore University (MU) and Umeshchandra, a lecturer of the MCJ department, was finally resolved on Thursday January 28.
MU registrar K Chinnappa and acting vice-chancellor K K Achar held a meeting with the heads of departments (HoDs) on Thursday evening and decided that Umeshchandra will be transferred to the administrative block and stripped of his lecturer’s post pending inquiry.
The students had first started a hunger strike on Monday January 25, alleging mental harassment by Umeshchandra.
It was later called off as MP Nalin Kumar Kateel intervened with the promise of resolving the issue.
They began the hunger strike yet again on Wednesday January 27 as varsity authorities failed to take any action.
The students Harish, Gajanana Shenoy, and Deepthi Nayana D’Silva fell ill owing to the hunger strike and were admitted to K S Hegde Medical College Hospital, Deralakatte, on Thursday afternoon.
Another student Prajna suffered dehydration but soon recovered. Of the students hospitalized, Deepthi was discharged on Thursday evening.
The protesting students had also blockaded the main road at the entrance of the varsity campus located in Konaje, since Thursday morning.
This hindered traffic and passenger buses plied on a roundabout route to reach the city and suburbs. The agitators also picketed the administration block, thereby preventing the administrative staff from venturing out for lunch.
Police personnel from Konaje station tried to restore the flow of traffic and calm the angry students.